Hard to express the depth of gratitude that we all have to our brave defenders, past present and future. I will ask you to do one thing and then I will give you something and show you some art.

I ask you to remember this weekend that each one of your rights is simply a derivative of our right to freedom. This most sacred treasure is in the hands of the beloved, the missed, the brave defenders in whose veins runs unimaginable courage and a passionate devotion to your right to do whatever you're doing this weekend. And every other weekend.

I give you flowers, in song and ink. Poppies, which normally mark Armistice Day (Our Veteran's Day, and also Remembrance Day) are symbolic around the world of the fallen heroes immortalized in this poem - In Flander's Fields - which I cannot read, even for the thousandth time, without completely losing it.

In Flanders fields the poppies blowBetween the crosses, row on row,That mark our place; and in the skyThe larks, still bravely singing, flyScarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the dead. Short days agoWe lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,Loved, and were loved, and now we lieIn Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:To you from failing hands we throwThe torch; be yours to hold it high.If ye break faith with us who dieWe shall not sleep, though poppies growIn Flanders fields.

So for my first card, I give you poppies.This card is made with the Stampin' Up! Botanicals set and colored with reinkers.

Next, I give you red white and blue daisies from Inspired by Nature. I stamped them in bleach on black and then colored them with pencils, ink and a white gel pen. I'll put a tutorial underneath this post later today so that you can get on about the hop! But come on back for a step by step.

Speaking of the hop - I am AMAZED at the new talent I've discovered in this group. The next blog belongs to an amazing mom - Windy Robinson - of two teenies - a four year old and a one year old - about whom there are great stories on her blog. My fave is the one about the coin toss, so be sure and check out the rest of her blog while you're there. Her crisp and modern, clean style will WOW you.

I'm very grateful to have the opportunity to say thank you to our brave men and women in uniform by being a part of this incredible event this weekend. The website behind all this patriotic and artistic magic is here - please be sure and visit after the hop. These women are doing amazing things. I hope you have a safe and happy weekend.

What a wonderful post!! I'm typing this through tears, I was so moved by your words. I look forward to visiting here often.Thanks for supporting our heroes, including my son, a US Marine serving in Iraq.

Lydia,Wow... I love the daisies... and I'm so with you on both you're song choice and Flander's Field. This is the first time I've been to your blog and I'll be back to see more. Thanks for sharing with us.

Love your card! Please keep on supporting CFH - they are such an amazing group. My husband is a Naval Gulf War vet. I am inspired by how all the bloggers support each other too! Have an amazing weekend.

One of these days I'll get to the bleach tutorial, and I'll be looking for you. Thanks Lydia for always giving me a laugh or two in your posts.. but most of all thanks for supporting this important cause. - Peggy M (avid subscriber)

Such beautiful cards....and I love having the music playing while visiting! Really lends a nice atmosphere. (And I love that it's not automatic, I get scared when I open a post and someone sings unrelated lound music at me, lol!)

Every time you leave a comment, a new LOLcat is born. ALSO - don't panic if you don't see your comment right away - I moderate my comments to keep those spammers out, so your comment will show up in short order. Unless you're linking me to Russian brides or Nigerian princes.

Hi. I'm Lydia. I'm the Community Manager at Splitcoast by day, an artist, a teacher and an animal lover in every other moment. .

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Art Unto Others

All of my projects are posted for your instruction & enjoyment. You may recreate these projects to your heart's content and I'll be flattered. I'd love it if you give me credit. It would be cool if you didn't submit them for publication though or sell them and make a million dollars, because that's bad karma. Unless you split it with me. My photos and my words belong completely to me and can't be reused or republished, so you gotta make your own. That means you have an excuse to buy glitter. And unless noted, dearest government officials, I am not compensated in any way for the products I use or discuss.

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As an enthusiastic, loyal and committed Stampin' Up! demonstrator, it is my duty to tell you that I am responsible for the content of this, your favorite blog. My views, layouts, style, cats and humorous observations are in no way endorsed, sanctioned by or a product of your undisputed favorite stamp company, maker of the world's best stamping products - Stampin' Up! I participate in the Amazon affiliate program, personally, and as an team member at Splitcoast. If I use an Amazon affiliate link, either I or the volunteer moderators at Splitcoast get a small % - which doesn't change your price at Amazon. At Splitcoast we buy Christmas presents for our volunteers each year with these proceeds. :) Have you hugged a moderator today?